Inside the Crime Lab: Forensic Chemisty Unit
Summary
TLDRThe forensic chemistry unit annually manages over 5,000 narcotics cases and 800 blood alcohol cases, crucial for DUI determinations. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including gas generators for instrument gases, they perform headspace analysis on blood samples to detect alcohol. Controlled substances are identified using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer and color tests for narcotics presence. Additionally, the unit analyzes ignitable liquids in arson investigations, employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for compound analysis.
Takeaways
- 🔬 The forensic chemistry unit handles a significant caseload, processing over 5,000 narcotics cases and 800 blood alcohol cases annually.
- 🧪 The unit plays a crucial role in DUI investigations, analyzing blood samples to determine alcohol content.
- 🔥 They also assist in arson investigations, analyzing ignitable liquids found in fire debris.
- 🏗️ The unit operates within a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with advanced instruments like gas generators.
- ⚗️ Hydrogen and nitrogen are produced as carrier and fuel gases, while ultra-purified zero air is used in detectors and to purge water from instruments.
- 🧪 Blood samples for DUI cases undergo headspace analysis, where alcohol is forced into the air above the sample and then analyzed.
- 🔍 A gas chromatograph is used to determine the alcohol content in blood samples after headspace analysis.
- 🌡️ The 4ye transform infrared spectrophotometer is a common tool for analyzing controlled substances, providing structural identification in about 30 seconds.
- 🧪 Color tests are used to verify the presence of different narcotics, with specific color changes indicating the type of substance.
- 🔍 The forensic chemistry unit also uses a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer for both ignitable liquid and controlled substance analysis.
Q & A
How many narcotics cases does the forensic chemistry unit handle annually?
-The forensic chemistry unit handles over 5,000 narcotics cases per year.
What is the purpose of analyzing blood alcohol cases in the forensic chemistry unit?
-The purpose is to determine if a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) has been committed.
What types of gases are produced by the gas generators in the forensic chemistry unit's laboratory?
-The generators produce hydrogen as a carrier gas and fuel gas, nitrogen as a carrier gas, and ultra-purified zero air.
What is the process for preparing blood samples for headspace analysis in suspected DUI cases?
-Blood samples are heated to force the volatile alcohol into the air at the top of the vial, and then placed into a heated headspace autosampler.
How does the gas chromatograph determine the alcohol value of a blood sample?
-The gas chromatograph determines the alcohol value by collecting a sample from the headspace and injecting it into the instrument for analysis.
What is the 4ye transform infrared spectrophotometer used for in the forensic chemistry unit?
-It is used to analyze controlled substances, providing structural identification of relatively pure organic compounds.
How long does it take for the 4ye transform infrared spectrophotometer to perform an analysis?
-It takes approximately 30 seconds to perform an analysis.
What do the color tests indicate in the verification of controlled substances?
-The color tests indicate the possible presence of different narcotics. For example, an orange color suggests the presence of an amphetamine-like compound, possibly methamphetamine.
How does the forensic chemistry unit analyze ignitable liquids in arson debris cases?
-The unit prepares samples to be heated in an oven with a carbon tab, which absorbs volatile compounds. These compounds are then extracted and analyzed using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer.
What is the role of the carbon tab in the analysis of ignitable liquids?
-The carbon tab absorbs any volatile compounds that are driven off the material during heating, allowing for the extraction and analysis of these compounds.
What additional role does the gas chromatograph mass spectrometer play in the forensic chemistry unit?
-The gas chromatograph mass spectrometer is also used in the analysis of controlled substances, in addition to ignitable liquids.
Outlines
🔬 Forensic Chemistry Unit's Role and Capabilities
The Forensic Chemistry Unit is responsible for handling over 5,000 narcotics cases annually, necessitating the analysis of tens of thousands of items. It also processes over 800 blood alcohol cases each year to determine DUI offenses. The unit supports the Denver police and fire departments in arson investigations by analyzing ignitable liquids. It operates within a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with gas generators that produce hydrogen, nitrogen, and ultra-purified zero air for various analytical instruments. The unit prepares blood samples for headspace analysis in suspected DUI cases, using a heated autosampler and a gas chromatograph to determine blood alcohol levels. It also employs a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer for the structural identification of organic compounds, verifying controlled substances through color tests. The unit further analyzes ignitable liquids in arson debris, using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer for compound analysis.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Forensic Chemistry Unit
💡Narcotics Cases
💡Blood Alcohol Cases
💡Ignitable Liquids
💡Headspace Analysis
💡Gas Chromatograph
💡Infrared Spectrophotometer
💡Color Tests
💡Arsen Debris
💡Mass Spectrometer
Highlights
The forensic chemistry unit handles over 5,000 narcotics cases annually.
The unit processes tens of thousands of items for narcotics analysis.
Over 800 blood alcohol cases are processed each year to determine DUIs.
Analysis of ignitable liquids and arson investigations is also performed.
The unit assists the Denver police and fire departments with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.
Gas generators are used to produce gases for instrument operation.
Hydrogen is produced as a carrier and fuel gas.
Nitrogen serves as a carrier gas and for purging water from instrumentation.
Ultra-purified zero air is used in flame ionization detectors.
Vials of blood are prepared for headspace analysis in suspected DUI cases.
Alcohol in blood samples is analyzed by heating the blood to release volatile alcohol.
A heated headspace Auto sampler is used to automate sample processing.
Gas chromatograph is used to determine the alcohol value of blood samples.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer is used for structural identification of organic compounds.
Color tests are used to verify the presence of different narcotics.
Orange color in tests indicates the presence of amphetamine-like compounds.
Pink color after testing suggests the absence of cocaine.
Dark blue color indicates the presence of a secondary amine, suggesting methamphetamine.
The forensic chemistry unit also analyzes ignitable liquids in arson debris cases.
A carbon tab is used to absorb volatile compounds from heated samples.
Gas chromatograph Mass spectrometer is used for analyzing volatile compounds.
Transcripts
the forensic chemistry unit handles over
5,000 narcotics cases per year which
requires the analysis of tens of
thousands of
items the unit processes over 800 blood
alcohol cases each year used to
determine if a DUI has been
committed the forensic chemistry unit
also performs an analysis for ignitable
liquids and arson investigations to
assist the Denver police and fire
departments as part of its
state-of-the-art laboratory the forensic
chemistry unit has gas generators to
produce all the gases used by its
instruments the generators produce
hydrogen as a carrier gas and fuel gas
nitrogen as a carrier gas and Ultra
purified zero air used in flame
ionization detectors and to purge water
from some instrumentation
here vials of blood are being prepared
for headspace analysis used in suspected
DUI
cases alcohol in the blood samples is
analyzed by heating the blood to force
the volatile alcohol into the air at the
top of the
vial to start the process samples are
placed into a heated headspace Auto
sampler this machine takes the vials and
places them into an
oven
when they reach the proper temperature a
sample is collected from the head space
and injected into an instrument called a
gas
chromatograph the alcohol value of the
blood sample can then be
determined a common instrument used to
analyze controlled substances is the 4ye
transform infrared spectr
photometer it takes approximately 30
seconds to perform this analysis which
produces a Str structural identification
of relatively pure organic
compounds controlled substances are
verified using a series of color tests
to indicate the possible presence of
different
narcotics the orange color here
indicates the sample contains an
amphetamine like compound possibly
methamphetamine the next sample remains
pink after testing indicating it does
not contain
cocaine
and the third sample turns a dark blue
color which means there is a secondary
amine
present the result of these three tests
show the sample is likely
methamphetamine in addition to narcotics
testing the forensic chemistry unit also
analyzes for ignitable liquid in Arsen
debris
cases the sample being prepared here
will be heated in an oven along with a
carbon
tab the small small tab which is placed
on the lid of the testing container will
absorb any volatile compounds that are
driven off the material
inside those compounds are then
extracted from the carbon tab using a
solvent they can be analyzed using an
instrument called a gas chromatograph
Mass spectrometer which is also used in
controlled substance
analysis
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